0 Comment(s)
Words by Tasha Brown, Photo via Rep JA—
If you are still wondering what makes Kardinal Offishall so official, watch his latest video, for the patois-laden, dancehall-inspired ”Tattoo (Rudebwoy).” You can always count on the Toronto MC to give you a mix of authentic hip-hop and dancehall flavor, but this go round, Mr. Offishall produced and directed the video in Jamaica, delivering a positive message on and off film.
0 Comment(s)
Words by Natalie Weiner—
Bunji Garlin is, once again, taking soca from T&T to the international pop scene—this time, on a new track with recent Mad Decent-signee Elliphant. Since the release of his crossover hit “Differentology” last year, the Soca Viking’s been making serious moves that have kept his name on everyone’s lips.
0 Comment(s)
Words by Saxon Baird—
We don’t want to call it a full-on revival, but dancehall has definitely been leaning towards a return to the vintage style and sound of Jamaica in the late ‘80s and ‘90s. Mr. Vegas (and Joe Lickshot!) just dropped “Real Don,” channeling the simple sound of dancehall’s early digital era. Konshens and Romain Virgo meanwhile gave us one of 2013′s most memorable dancehall videos, donning old-school Jamaican fashions—mesh marinas, backward Kangol caps— for their excellent throwback tune, “We Nuh Worry Bout Dem.”
0 Comment(s)
Words by Jesse Serwer—
Jesse Royal is one of the key figures bringing reggae into the future, but he’s working closely with some of the music’s past giants to get there. For “Little Did They Know,” a track on Living HeART, the exceptional new compilation LP celebrating 25 years of XTerminator Records and the life of its late founder Philip “Fattis” Burrell (buy here), Jesse teamed with three of reggae’s greatest musicians: Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, and Earl “Chinna” Smith.
1 Comment
Words by Saxon Baird—
Fresh off the hangover of tax collection day here in the U.S., we offer you this gem with production courtesy of U.K.’s Peckings Records. The rocksteady tune called “Bill” is something all of us on this side of the Atlantic can relate to right now: a ballad to one of the few things certain in life, paying bills.
0 Comment(s)
Words by Marcha M. Johnson—
With soca steadily gaining momentum on the international music scene, and its following growing steadily, sub-genres and other interpretations of the culture are inevitably emerging from the most unexpected places. One such place is in the music of St. Louis, Missouri native Mr. One Hundred (a/k/a Paul B Davis), the newest act on the Mixpak Records roster.
